Safety-gear for mine skips, cages, &amp;c.



PATENTI-:B JULYlo, 1906. ELDON;

B. SGHLESINGER 6L E. G. W SAFETY GEAR EUR MINE SKIPS CAGES, &o.

APPLICATION FILED DEU. 20

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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No. 825,353. PATENTED JULY l0, 1906. B. SCHLESINGER & E. G. WELDON.SAFETY GEAR FOR MINE SKIPS, CAGES, &c.

APPLICATION FILED DHL-20, 19044;

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

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No. 825,353. PATENTED JULY 10, 1906. B. SCHLESINGER z E. G. WELDON.SAFETY GEAR EUR MINE SKIPS, CAGES, 50,

APPLIOATION FILED DB0. zo, 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.l

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No. 825,353. PATENTED JULY 10, `1906.

B. SCHLESINGBR & E. G. WBLDON. SAFETY GEAR POR MINE SKIPS, GAGES, 5m.

APPLIGATION FILED 1120.20, 1904.

5 SHEETS-femm' 4.

PATENTED JULY l0, 1906. B. SCHLESINGER & E. G. WELDON. SAFETY GEAR PORMINE SKIPS, CAGES, zo-

.APPLIGATION FILED DEO. 20, 1904.

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JTTED STATES PATENT OFElUE.

BRUNO SCHLESINGER AND EDVIN GEORGE WELDON, OE JOHANNESBURG, TRAN SVAAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 10, 1906 Application led December 20, 190. Serial NoA237,716.

To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that we,-BRUNo SoHLEsIN- GEE, a subject of the Emperor ofAustria- Hungary, and EnwrN GEORGE WELDON, a subject of the King ofEngland, residing at Johannesburg, Transvaal, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Safety-Gear for Mine Skips, Cages, and theLike, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to safety-gear applicable for the skips or cagesemployed in the shafts of mines, for elevators or lifts, or likecontrivances which traverse guide-rails or runners, and to other similarapparatus.

The present invention is designed'with the object of providing athoroughlyT efficient safety-gear which may be relied upon at all timesand under all ordinary circumstances to bring the skip, cage, elevator,lift, or the like to rest within a short distance upon the breaking ofthe hauling-rope or in the event of the skip, cage, elevator, lift, orthe like becoming detached from the rope from any cause, so that itbecomes unsuspended thereby in the shaft of the mine, the well of theelevator or lift, or otherwise.

An important point in our invention, in which we differ from many of thesafetygears at present in use, is that we utilize the energy of theunsuspended or falling load to arrest the movement of the same or tobring it to rest in the shaft, te.

ln applying our invention, say, to a mine skip or cage we prefer tolocate the safety mechanism or gear above the skip or cage, although itmay, if found more convenient, be located beneath the same.

The frame in which the cage is built or carried is preferably carried upabove the top of the cage for a suitable distance. Across the top of theframe above the skip or cage are riveted or otherwise securely fixed twohorizontallydisposed bars. Between these bars on the top of the cage,which is strengthened to afford them a firm fixing, are arranged three(more or less) vertically-disposed rods or bars. On these two sets ofvertical rods are mounted two horizontallyarranged rods,Y which rods are.capable of moving vertically on the guide-rods within certain limits.On each of the guide-rods, between the sliding or movable bars and thefixed or stationary bars in the upper portion l, of the frame, arearranged two (more or less) i coiled springs, the one a powerfulbufl'erspring and the other a less powerful spring,

whose functions will be hereinafter explamed.

The two sliding or movable bars at their extremities move in angle,channel, or other suitably-shaped guides or slots. The two sliding ormovable bars are connected by means of a bow which serves as the meansfor connecting the hauling-rope to the skip, cage, or the like. Arrangedbetween and carried by the two sliding bars are two oscillatingcylinders arranged inside the frame in proximity to the ends of saidbars. The cylinders are constructed with trunnions or pivots which workin bearings provided therefor in the sliding bars. iin each of thecylinders is arranged a piston which is attached to a piston-rod, whichlatter operates when the rope breaks or the skip or cage becomesunsupported from l above to bring the same to rest by engaging theguide-rails or runners in the shaft of the mine, &c. Inside each of the`oscillating cylinders is located a suitably strong coiled spring, andthe cylinders are filled with oil or other suitable liquid or gaseousfluid.

l/Ve prefer to employ guide-rails or runners formed with teeth orprojections on their front faces at suitable distances apart. The toothor projection on the inside is rounded or curved,- and the front edge isrounded off, so as to insure the extremity of the pistonrod when it ismoved outward and thrown forward being brought into engagement therewithto support the load and 'so that in the event of the piston-rod strikingon the edge of a tooth or projection it is thereby deflected intoengagement with the next succeeding tooth or projection. From therounded edge of the tooth or projection the guides are inclined inwardand downward at a suitable inclination and for a suitable distance andthen continue in the form of a straight or parallel strip into thecurved recess formed in the top of the next tooth or projection.

ln'order the more clearly to describe our invention in detail, we havefully illustrated it in one form in the accompanying sheets of drawings,by the aid of which We will now proceed to describe the construction andarrangement of the several parts of the gear or mechanism.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective IOO " l and their guideways.

y Fig. 11 is an elevation, partly in 4 is an end elevation or a viewtaken at right l angles to Fig. 2. tom of the skip and itssupporting-frame. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a certain portion of thesafety mechanism. Fig. 7 is a plan of one of the horizontally-arrangedrods, showing the means of xing it to the frame. Fig. 8 is a plan of aportion ofthe two sliding rods Fig'. 9 is a side elevation of the bow,showing the means oi' attaching it to the sliding rods. Fig. 10 is aside elevation of the bow shown in Fig. 9. section, of one of theoscillating cylinders and illustrating the means of attaching same tothe slidrails or runners.

ing rods and showing the pis ton-rod engaging the teeth, stops, orprojections on the guide- Fig. 12 is a front elevation oi" a portion ofthe guide-rails. Fig. 13 is a vertical section on line Qc y of Fig. 12,and Fig. 14 is a side elevation of Fig. 12, and Fig. 15 is a sectionalplan oi Fig. 12.

The skip, cage, elevator, lift, or the like, 1, may be constructed ofany desired capacity and shape. In the accompanying drawings weillustrate it built up in two rectangular frames 2 3 of U section andstrengthened by means of plates 4 5 at the top and bottom and anintermediate plate 6 at or about the center. Itv may be of any otherpreferred construction.

In vthe drawings we show the safety-gear located in a framing 7 at thetop of the skip or cage 1. The framing 7 for the safety-gear is shownriveted to extensions or projections 8, provided on the plates whichJform the sides of the skip. ln the top of the frame 7 at either end areriveted the plates 9. Arranged across the frame or between the plates 9are the two horizontally-disposed bars 10. These bars are shown fixed bymeans of small angle pieces or brackets 11 to the plates 9 underneaththe top of the frame 7. The bars 10 are formed with three enlargementsor bosses 12 and with holes or recesses 13 in the under side of saidbosses 12.

On the top of the skip or cage 1 are xed sockets 14, which are carriedor supported by the three horizontallyarranged supports 15 of U section.These sockets 14 coincide with or lie immediately beneath the holes 13,formed in the two iixed bars 10. Between the ixed bars 10 and thehorizontal supports 15 are arranged sixv (more or less) guide-rods 16,three for each bar 10. The guide-rods 16 at their upper extremitiesproject into the holes 13, formed in the bosses 12, and their lowerextremities rest in the sockets 14.

To those sides of the skip 1 which face the guide-rails or runners areixed the shoes 17, which are of L section and are carried above Fig. 5is a plan of the botj saass the top of the skip 1 and at their upperends are riveted to the plates 9 and frame 7, and the pieces of Usection 13, fixed at either side of the shoes 17, which pass down onesideotI the skip 1, underneath the same, and up the other side and areriveted or otherwise lixed at the top to the plates 9. (See Figs. 4 and5.) To each side of the U-pieces 18 at either side of the shoe 17 areriveted plates 19,.

which on the inside of the fra-ming 7 -form longitudinal grooves orrecesses 20.

On the rods 1 6 are arranged two horizontal rods 21. These rods 21 areformed with bosses or enlargements 22 and with holes 23, in which theymay slide vertically onthe rods 16. The ends of these sliding rods 21project into the guides or recesses 20, formed by the plates 19.

Round each of the several rods 16, between the stationary bars 10 andthe sliding bars 21, are placed spiral springs 24, which at their lowerends bear against the tops of the sliding bars 21 and at their upperends rest on the under side of the iixed bars 10. The springs 24 aresuch that their united force is some what less than the weight of theempty skip or cage, and the springs 24 are somewhat shorter in lengththan the distance between the top of the skip or cage and the top of theframing 7, in which the safety mechanism is housed.

Round the upper ends of each of the rods 1 6 and iixed to the under sideof the stationary bars 1() and encircling the spiral springs 24 are thepowerful buffer-springs 25. To the lower ends of the buffer-springs 25are ixed plates 26, which come into contact with the tops of the slidingbars 21 when the latter are raised suHiciently far on the guide-rods 16to engage them. Between the two sliding bars 21 is arranged the bow 27,which forms the connection with the hauling-rope. This bow, as shownmore particularly in Figs. 9 and 10, is shaped at its lower extremitiesto iit or project beneath the sliding bars 21 and so that it projectsalong the bars 21 for some distance. It is fixed to the bars 21 at theunder side. That part of the bow 27 forming the ledge for the slidingbars 21 isalso constructed with a boss 28, which coincides with thecentral boss 22 for the central guide-rod 16 and with ar ICO IIO

To the shoes 17, between the plates 9 and the top of the skip or cage 1,are fixed plates 30, (see Figs. land 15,) which between them form avertical slot 31.

IZO

Between the two sliding bars 21. are ary,

ranged two cylinders 32. formed withbosses 33 and holes 34, which formbearings for trunnions or pivots 35 on the cylinders 32. (See Fig. 11.)The trunnions 35 may be carried by bands encircling rl`he bars 21 arethe cylinders 32 at or about the center or be formed on the cylinders,if preferred. In

ISO

each of the cylinders is a piston 36. In the periphery of the piston 36are formed a number of small grooves 37. The piston-rod 38, which isattached to the piston 36, works through a gland 39, fitted in thecylinder-cover 40. The piston-rod 38 is made considerably longer thanthe cylinder 32 and projects toward the vertical slot 31, formed betweenlthe plates 3 0. The lower extremity of the pistonrod 38 is rounded oifor made hemispherical. In the cylinder, between its upper end and thepiston 36, is placed a powerful spring 41. The cylinder is also filledwith oil or other suitable liquid or gaseous fluid. Commupieating withthe upper end of the cylinder' 32 is a small pipe 42, and communicatingwith the lower end of the cylinder is another' small pipe 43. These twopipes 42 43 are placed in communication by a third pipe 44, and twotwo-way cocks 45 are interposed between the pipes 42 43.

To the top of the cage 1 at the bottom of the slot 31 is `fixed a curvedpiece of metal 46, which serves as a guide for the lower extremity ofthe piston-rod 38 and compels it to move toward the guide-rails orrunners and at the same time serves to keep the cylinder 32 andpiston-rod 38 at the requisite angle or inclination to the guide-railsor runners.

The guide-rails or runners 46a, which we prefer to employ, are shown indetail in Figs. 12 to 15. They are formed with teeth or projections 47at suitable distances apart. On the inside these teeth 47 are curved toform the semicircular recesses 48, and along the edges the teeth 47 arerounded off. Between the teeth 47 the guides formrecesses 49, whichtaper inward in a downward direction for a suitable distance and thenrun vertically to the curved recess 48, formed by the next tooth. Itwill be obvious that the guides may be made of any other suitableconstruction. The method of attaching the sections of the guide-rails isshown as consisting of a plate 50, fixed to the abutting ends of the twosections of the rail 462L by means of rivets or the like passed throughthe holes 51, formed in the flanges 52 of the rail and plate 50. In Fig.15 it is shown how the shoes 17 project to the sides of the guide-rails46a and how the plates 30 at the front of the rails 46aL form the slots31, through which the lower extremity of the piston-rod 38 projects toengage the teeth or projections 47 on the guide-rails or runners 46a.

If for any reason it should not be convenient to locate the safetymechanism at the top of or above the skip or cage 1, it may be arrangedat the bottom or beneath the skip or cage and work in a preciselyAsimilar manner, the connection between the sliding bars 16 and thehauling-rope or its equivalent being made through the 4medium of a chainor the like passing through or down the sides of the skip, cage, o r thelike.

I/Vhen the safety-gear has been located in the top or over the cago, asvshown in the drawings, the operation of attaching the hauling-rope andsuspending the cage in the sha-ft produces the following results: At theoutset all the springs 24 25 are fully extended and the two sliding ormovable bars 21 are in their lowest positions some distance above thetop of the cage. The springs 41 in the two cylinders 32 are also hillyextended, and each of the pistons 36 is at the bottom of the cylinder 32or end of its stroke, and the pistonrod 38 is projected out through theslot 31 toward or in the direction of the guide-rails or runners 46a,with the end of the piston-rod 38 directed downward. The elastic fluidis above the pistons 36 in the cylinders, and the bow 27 is carried downto its lowest position by the two sliding bars 21. The taking in of lthehauling-rope and the suspension thereby the two sliding bars 21 upwardin their guideways 20. In the upward movement of the sliding bars 21 thesix coiled springs 24 are compressed, the two cylinders 32 are raised,and the piston-rods 38, following the curvature of the guides 46, fallslightly inward, so that they run clear of the guide-rails or runners46u. The sliding bars of the cage 1 nieves 21 rise in their guides 2()until they come into contact with the buffer-springs 25, the spiralsprings 24 being thereby compressed within said buffer-springs 25. Thisdescribes the normal position of the parts as the skip or cage 1 isdescending or ascending the shaft suspended by the hauling-rope.

The operation of the safety-gear in the event of a breakage of the ropetaking place will be as follows: The bow 27 and two sli` ing bars 21being deprived of their support are forced downward by the six coiledsprings 24 with a force slightly less than the weight of the empty cage.During this downward movement of the sliding bars 21 the cylinders 32,with the pistons 36 and piston-rods 38, are moved downward, and thelower extremities of the piston-rods 38 are by means of the guides 46thrown through the slots 31 into engagement with the teeth orprojections 47 of the guide-rails or runners 46a. After the lowerextremities of the piston-rods 38 have engaged one of the recesses 48 onthe inside of one of the teeth or projections 47 further movement of thepiston-rod 38 is. prevented. This causes the six coiled springs 24 to beagain compressedfand assuming that the cage is loaded the energy itpossesses when itAbecomes unsuspended is partially absorbed by the sixpowerful buffersprings 25 after the six coiled springs 24 have beencontracted to a suliicient extent to allow of the contraction of saidbuffer-springs 25. After the buffer-springs 25 have been compressed thecylinders 32 are forced over the pistons 36 again by theenergy of thefalling load. This causes the elastic fluid to be mounted on each setIof vertically-disposed guide-rods, springs located on the yguide-rodsbetween the sliding bars anda fixed portion of the frame, a pair ofoscillating cylinders periphery of the piston`36, so that it acts as apowerful cushion against said piston 36 and forced through the narrowgrooves 37 in the I serves to take up the energy of the load. At

5 the same time the powerful springs 41 in the pivoted between saidhorizontally-disposed 7o cylinders 32 are compressed between thepissliding bars, pistons in said cylinders, pistontons 36 and the topsof the cylinders 32. By rods attached to said pistons and means -for thetime the cylinders '32 `have forced the connecting the hauling-rope tothe pair y'of Huid past the pistons 36 vand the buflersliding bars insuch manner that should the ro springs 4l in the-cylinders 32 arecompressed rope break or the load :become unsuspended 75 the cage hasbeen brought `to rest. As the the springs operate to place theyextremities cage falls-after the extremities of the pistonof thepiston-rods in engagement with teeth, rods 38 have engaged the teeth orprojections projections or Trecesses in the guide-rails or 47 in theguide-rails or runners 46a the cage `runners of the `shaft or well,substantially as r 5 passes over the piston-rods-SS by the slots 3l, ldescribed. 8o formed at either side of the cage by means of 5. Insafety-gear for -mine skips ,cages and the plates 30. To bring theparts-'back to ythe like, in combination, a skip vor cage, Va theiroriginal positions, the two two-way framing carried'bysaid skip'orvcage,a pluralcocks 45 are opened, which allows the elastic ity ofvertically-disposed rods -arranged :in

zo fluid when the skip is suspended by the haulj two parallel sets, ahorizontally-disposed bar 85 ing-rope to pass from the bottom to the topi slidably mounted on each set of vertically- -of the piston 36. Whenthe piston 36 is disposed rods, apair of oscillating-afnd-anguagain atthe bottom of the cylinder 32, the llarly-disposed'cylinders,pivotallycarriedIbecocks 45 are closed, so thatthe fluid must tween the two sliding bars, spiral-springsar- 25 passthrough the grooves 37 .in the pistonB ranged round the guide-rods abovevthe slid- 9o inthe manner previously explained. ing bars and powerfulvbuffer-springs yinter- What We claim as our invention,and desire posedbetween said bars and a .iixed portion to protect by Letters Patent, islof the frame, pistons in the oscillating cylin- 1. In safety-gear formine'skips cages and ['ders, piston-rods attached to said pistons,

3o the like, the combination with the skip or means for connectingthe'hauling-rope to the 95 cage of a cylinder, a piston therein and apistwo sliding bars and guides for :the extremiton-rod attached to thepiston, and means ties of the piston-rods which operate to placewhichopera'te when the skip'or cage becomes the same in engagement withteeth, `projecnnsuspended to place `the piston-rods in entions orrecesses in the guide-rails or runners 3 5 gagement with teeth,projections or Irecesses should the skip or cage become lunsupported iooin the guide-rails or runners of the shaft, well in the shaft well orthe like, substantially as or the like, substantially as described.described.

2. In 'safety-gear for mine skips cages and 6. In safety-gear formine-skips-cagesand the like, in combination, a cage or skip, an thelike, in combination, a skip or cage, a

4o oscillating cylinder carried by said cage or framing carriedby saidskip or cage,a pair of 105 skip, a piston arranged in said cylinder, aXed horizontally-disposed `parallel bars in piston-.rodfattached to thepiston and means the upper end of said Eframe, a plurality yof whichoperate when thesupport for the load vertically-disposed vrods arrangedin two paris 'removed to bring said piston-rod into enallel sets,ahoriZontally-disposed bar slidably gagement with teeth, projections orrecesses mounted on each set of vertically-disposed 11o in theguide-rails or runners of the shaft, well rods, a spiral and a strong'buffer springen or the like, substantially as described. each of saidvertically-disposedrods between 3. In safety-gear formino skips cagesand the sliding bars and thev fixed horizontal bars, the like, incombination, a -skip or cage, a l a pair of oscillatingangularly-disposed cylin- 50 pair of oscillating cylinders carried bysaid l ders pivotally carried between the Atwo slid- 115 skip or cageandangularly disposed in rela- I ing bars, pistons in theoscillatingfcylinders, tion to the guide-rails or runners, Apistons ar-I strong buffer-springs arranged in the -fcylinranged `in saidcylinders, piston-rods atders between the pistons and theupper-endtached to-said pistons, land means whicn. opor cover, piston-rodsattached to-said pistons,

55 erate should the skip or cage become unsusmeans for connecting thehauling-ropefto the 12o pended in the shaft or well to place the `eX-pair of sliding bars, guides fortthe piston-rods tremities of saidpiston-rods in rengagement which place the outer extremitiesiof sameinwith teeth, projections lor recesses in the engagement with teeth,projections -or reguide-rails or runners of the shaft, w ell or thecesses in the guide-rails orrunners should the 6o like, substantially asdescribed. l skip or cage become unsupported in the shaft 12 5 4. Insafety-gear for `mine skips cages or j or well, substantially asdescribed. the like, in combination, a skip or cage, a 7. In safety-gearfor mine skipscages and framing carried'by said skip or cage, a pluralj:the like, incombinatioma skip or cage, apair ity of vertically-disposedrods arranged `in of sliding bars carried by said skipor cage,a 6 5 twosets, a horizontally-disposed bar slidably l .pair of oscillatingcylinders pivotally carried -i 3o between said bars adapted to be filledwith l an elastic fluid, spiral springs in said cylinders above thepistons, a piston in each of said cylinders, a piston-rod attached toeach piston which projects toward or in the direction of the guide-railsor runners of the shaft or well and are adapted to be brought intoengagement wi th the latter to arrest the movement of the skip or cage,and means which operate to place the extremities of the piston-rods inengagement with teeth, projections, or recesses in the guide-rails orrunners of the shaft or well should the skip or cage become unsuspended,substantially as described.

S. In safety-gear for mine skips cages and the like, in combination, askip or cage, a frame carried by said skip or cage, a pair of slidingbars mounted in said frame, guideways formed in the ends of the framefor the extremities of the sliding bars, a pair of oscillating cylinderspivotally carried between said sliding bars adapted to be filled with anelastic fluid, spiral buffer-springs in said cylinders above thepistons, a piston in each of said cylinders, a piston-rod attached toeach piston which projects toward or in the direction of the guide-railsor runners of the shaft or well, said frame having slots therein formingguideways for the ends of said piston-rods and a curved guide for eachof said piston rods which guides operate to bring the extremities ofsaid piston-rods in engagement with teeth, projections or recesses inthe guide-rails or runners of the shaft or well should the skip or cagebecome unsuspended, substantially as described.

9. In safety-gear for mine skips cages and the like, in combination, askip or cage, a framing carried by said skip or cage, a pair of slidingbars carried by said frame, a pair of cylinders pivotally carriedbetween said sliding bars adapted to be filled with an elastic fluid,spiral springs in said cylinders above the pistons, a piston in each ofsaid cylinders, a piston-rod attached to each piston which projectstoward or in the direction of the guide-rails or runners of the shaft orwell and are adapted to be brought into engagement with the lattertoarrest the movement of the skip or cage, shoes fixed to the cage adaptedto lit the guide-rails or runners, plates fixed to the shoes which formvertical slots for the extremity of each of the piston-rods and curvedguides which direct the ends of the piston-rods into engagement withteeth, pro jections or recesses in the guide-rails or runners of theshaft or well, substantially as described.

10. In safety-gear for mine skips cages and the like, in combination, askip or cage, a framing carried by said skip or cage, a pair of slidingbars carried by said frame, plates fixed to the frame which formguideways for 65 the ends of said sliding bars, a pair of cylinderspivotally carried between said bars adapted to be charged with anelastic fluid, spiral buffer-springs in said cylinders above thepistons, a piston in each of said cylinders, a pistonrod attached toeach piston which projects toward the guide-rails or runners of theshaft or well and are adapted to beplaced in engagement with teeth,projections or recesses in said guide-rails or runners, shoes carried bythe skip or cage and frame adapted to fit the guide-rails or runners,plates fixed to the shoes which form vertical slots for the extremitiesof the piston-rods and curved guides which direct the ends of thepistonrods into engagement with teeth, projections or recesses in theguide-rails or runners of the shaft or well, and means which operate toplace the extremities of said piston-rods in engagement with the teeth,projections or recesses in the guide-rails or runners should the skip orcage become unsuspended in the shaft or well, substantially asdescribed.

1l. In safety-gear for mine skips cages and the like, in combination, askip or cage, a frame carried by said skip or cage, a pair of slidingbars mounted in said frame, a pair of oscillating andsingularly-disposed cylinders pivotally carried between said slidingbars, pistons in said cylinders and piston-rods at tached'to saidpistons which latter are directed toward the guide-rails or runners andguide-rails or runners having teeth or projections recessed on theinside and rounded at the point and inclined downward in the directionof the next succeeding tooth or projection, substantially as described.

12. In safety-gear for mine skips cages and the like, in combination, askip or cage, a frame carried by said skip or cage, a pair of slidingbars mounted in said frame, a pair of angularly-disposed cylinderspivotally carried between said sliding bars, adapted to be charged withan elastic fluid, spiral springs arranged in said cylinders between thecovers and pistons, piston-rods attached to said pistons, which rods aredirected toward the guide-rails or runners in the shaft or well andguide-rails or runners having teeth or projections recessed on theinside to receive the rounded extremities of the piston-rods and roundedat the edge or nose and then inclined inward and downward and thenparallel or vertical to the next succeeding tooth or projection,substantially as and for the purposes described.

13. In safety-gear for mine skips cages and the like, in combination, askip or cage, a frame carried by said skip or cage, a pair ofsliding'bars mounted in said frame, a pair of angularly-disposedcylinders pivotally carried between said sliding bars adapted to becharged with an elastic fluid, spiral springs in said cylinders betweenthe covers and pistons, a piston in each of said cylinders, a piston-rodattached to each piston which rods IOC IZO

ISO

are directed toward the guide-rails or runners in the shaft or well andguide-rails or runners having iianges and vertical ribs or projectionsat right angles thereto which -form the guides for the shoes fixed tothe skip or cage and having projections orteeth formed between saidvertical ribs or projections recessed on the inside to receive therounded extremities of the piston-rods and rounded at the edges or nosesand then inclined inward and downward and then parallel or vertical tothe next succeeding' tooth or projection, substantially as and for thepurposes described.

14. In safety-gear for mine skips cages and the like, in combination, askip or cage, a frame fixed to and carried by said skip or cage, twohorizontally-disposed bars fixed in the top of saidframe having bossesand holes in the under side thereof, sockets carried by the skip orcage, a plurality of vertically-disposed rods arranged in sets betweenthe xed horizontal bars and the sockets, a horizontally-disposed barslidably mounted on each set of vertically-disposed rods, a bowconnecting said sliding bars and serving as the means for attaching thehauling-rope to the skip or cage, spiral springs and strongbuffersprings arranged between the sliding bars and the fixed horizontalbars which operate to force the sliding bars in a downward directionshould the skip or cage become'unsuspended in the shaft or well, platesfixed to the frame forming guideWays for the ends of saidl sliding bars,a pair of oscillating angularlydisposed `cylinders pivotally carriedbetween the sliding bars adapted to be charged with an elastic fluid,means placing' the ends of said cylinders in communication and cocks foropening and closing said communication, buffer-springs arranged in thecylinders between the top and the piston, pistons in said cylinders andpiston-rods attached thereto, the latter being directed toward theguiderails or runners and rounded at their lower extremities and adaptedto be brought into engagement with teeth, projections or recesses insaid guide-rails or runners, curved guides which serve for directing theends of the piston-rods into said teeth, projections or recesses, shoesfixed to the skip or cage and plates fixed to the shoes which form avertical slot foreach piston-rod, and guide-rails or runners havingteeth projections or recesses which are engaged'by the extremities ofthe piston-rods to arrest the movement of the skip or cage should thelatter become un-` suspended, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BRUNO SCHLESINGER. EDWIN GEORGE WELDON.

